NATIONAL FRIED CHICKEN DAY

In the United States, July 6th chicken lovers across the country recognize National Fried Chicken Day by feasting at a nearby restaurant, home, or an outdoor picnic.

Scottish immigrants brought their tradition of deep-frying chicken in fat to the southern United States. After its introduction to the American South, fried chicken soon became a staple. Over time, cooks added seasonings and spices to enrich the flavor of the chicken.

Fried chicken is a dish consisting of chicken pieces floured or battered, then pan-fried, deep-fried or pressure-fried. The breading adds a crisp coating to the exterior of the chicken. Knowing how to get a good crisp on the chicken may seem elusive to some. However, some of the best cooks will tell you the keys to achieving the crispiest fried chicken involves seasoning well and early in the process, adding starch to your flour and frying your chicken at the right temperature. The oil should be 300°F. Finally, let the chicken rest before serving to allow the juices to be absorbed back into the meat. Just like beef and pork, the chicken will be more tender when we allow it to rest. 

Try this great Keto, low carb friendly version to. Use it on salads, as an entrée or even things like homemade Cordon Blue. The flavor is worth the work.

Traditionally the chicken is fried in lard. However, corn oil, peanut oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil are also frequently used.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFriedChickenDay

Use this batter mix as you try this fried chicken recipe. Serve it with your favorite side dishes, too. Potato salad, cornbread, greens, or watermelon. And be sure to share! Invite some friends over, make some fried chicken, and share photos on social media using #NationalFriedChickenDay.

NATIONAL EGG DAY

June 3rd is time to get a crack on the annual observance of National Egg Day!

The nutrient-rich food has gone back and forth with science and nutritionists over the decades as to just how many eggs are too many for a healthy diet. However, one egg provides an excellent source of protein and vitamin D. At 75 calories and 5 grams of fat, it’s an easy choice to satisfy hunger, too. Eggs are easily seasoned and pair well with vegetables to increase the nutritional value of a meal.

Eggs are an essential ingredient to baked goods and are a part of our everyday diets. There’s so much to celebrate in these small packages.

Don’t forget National Egg Month, Better Breakfast Month, and Eggs Benedict Day.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalEggDay

Fried, scrambled, poached, hard boiled, over easy, or whatever way you prefer, breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner, this versatile food is a perfect fit. They even make a great late night dinner.

Enjoy eggs for breakfast.  How about a fried egg sandwich for lunch? What’s your favorite way to enjoy an egg?  Use #NationalEggDay when posting on social media.

NATIONAL ROTISSERIE CHICKEN DAY

On June 2nd each year, chicken lovers celebrate National Rotisserie Chicken Day. While there a numerous ways to cook a whole chicken, rotisserie chicken offers a slow cooking method that seals in flavor.

When cooking chicken using a rotisserie chicken, the whole chicken is cooked on a rotisserie or spit that turns continuously over a heat source. This process slowly roasts and sears the skin to seal in the flavor. The result is a tender and juicy chicken. Some cooks inject rotisserie chicken with a blend of seasonings to give increase the flavor. The popularity of rotisserie chicken continues to grow as the health benefits of it become more widely known.

Rotisserie chicken goes well with a variety of side dishes, too. Whether you like traditional salads, potatoes, rice, and steamed vegetables, or more elaborate dishes, you will not go wrong. You can even use the leftovers in many ways, including salads, sandwiches, and casseroles. It is just as delicious cold as it is hot, too.

NATIONAL ROTISSERIE CHICKEN DAY HISTORY

Boston Market Restaurants founded National Rotisserie Chicken Day in April of 2015 to celebrate the delicious and tender flavor achieved through slow-cooked rotisserie chicken.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #RotisserieChickenDay

Pick up some rotisserie chicken to celebrate! It is perfect for lunch or dinner. You can also share your favorite recipes. Share photos of your friends and family on social media enjoying rotisserie chicken and include #RotisserieChickenDay in the post.

National Egg Month

National Egg Month in May reminds us all the egg is cracked up to be!

It sure beats many other foods and whips up a great meal. We rely on eggs for a variety of uses, too. They’re essential for baked goods, but on their own, eggs make an eggcellent meal.

Whether boiled, baked, basted or fried, eggs are full of protein. They go well with vegetables and herbs, too.

One of the world’s most affordable food sources, eggs contain all the nutrients a body needs except vitamin C. So if you’re on a budget and want to stay healthy, add eggs to your superfood list.

HISTORY

National Egg Month has been observed since the 1960s. Different months had the honor, however, as the reputation of the egg soured for a period of time, so did National Egg Month. But in the 1990s, the American Egg Board re-established National Egg Month in May. Since then, studies have been shining a light on good and bad egg nutrition, we have come a long way to understanding more about the differences in cholesterol and what it means for our health.

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HOW TO OBSERVE

Try new recipes throughout the month. Eggs are versatile and can be incorporated into every meal of the day.  They’re also portable. Use #NationalEggMonth to share all the incredible ways eggs make your life and health better.

NATIONAL EGGS BENEDICT DAY

On April 16th, National Eggs Benedict Day celebrates a long favored breakfast or brunch dish. Eggs Benedict consists of poached eggs with Hollandaise sauce and Canadian bacon or ham on English muffin halves.

There are two different stories as to how Eggs Benedict came to be.

  • In 1894 stockbroker Lemuel Benedict ordered “buttered toast, poached eggs, crisp bacon, and a side of Hollandaise”  at the Waldorf Hotel. They were so impressed with the dish that they put it on the menu substituting ham and English muffins in place of the bacon and toast.
  • In the early 18th century, Pope Benedict XIII liked an egg dish so much that he requested it time and time again. It is also believed that Pope Benedict XIII had an illness which added to his desire for this particular egg dish, hence the name Eggs Benedict.

Some restaurants serve their own versions of Eggs Benedict. Mix it up by substituting the ham for salmon or corned beef. Add sliced tomatoes or steamed asparagus. Replace the English muffin with thick, crusty toast or thin, crisp bagels. There are so many ways to be creative in the kitchen. The important elements with Eggs Benedict are properly poached eggs and a perfect hollandaise sauce. When the yolk and sauce blend with all the other ingredients, this meal is divine. 

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalEggsBenedictDay

Treat yourself to a delicious breakfast of Eggs Benedict at home or your favorite breakfast restaurant. Learn how to poach the perfect egg. You can even poach eggs in the microwave. Then whip up a delicious hollandaise sauce, too. It’s one of Mother Sauces used in cooking. Find out more about the types of sauces used and how to make them.

Use #NationalEggsBenedictDay to post on social media.